Just two Strada members needed more racing this weekend: Drew Albert and Nick Thorpe. All of the rest of us were sleeping and staying inside to beat the rain.
Nick was in Avondale bright and early...or at least early...as he took on the whole junior pack. Apparently, feeling rested from the racing on Saturday, he broke away early with the winner of the junior race on Saturday and they were never caught by the pack. Nick's speed is virtually unmatched in the junior ranks and he showed it as he sprinted clear for the win! Congratulations, Nick, on another great victory. Each one brings new excitement and maturity as this is his first successful breakaway!
Was Nick tired? No way, as part of his development plan he entered and rode in his first ever Senior Men's Cat 5 event. His cool head and talent helped him to handle the larger pack of adult riders with a level of confidence that is truly remarkable since he has not yet reached his 16th birthday! Long story short: he had no problems with the pace of the race..and....yes, won the field sprint for first place in his first Cat 5 race! Outstanding performance, Nick. Congratulations! Many riders train for years and race for years without a single victory. Many racers that have upgraded their categories have never won a race.
Nick, on the other hand, after just over 15 months of training won another junior race today and entered (and won) his first senior event! Amazing!
Drew Albert lined up next in the Combined Cat 2/3 race...great preparation for his upgrade to the Pro/ Cat 1/2 ranks. Drew continued his aggressive tactics to break away early in the race but he was swept up by the pack. Not to be deterred, he contested two primes and won both of them! Yes...he took primes for cash away from far more experienced cat 2 riders. He once again demonstrated his amazing consistency with a fine fourth place finish in spite of this being this third race of the weekend! Another amazing performance by Drew Albert.